It’s the most wonderful time of the year … or is it? While the holidays are known for time spent with the ones we love, this time of year can also be tough to navigate without going overboard on sweets and treats and gaining unwanted weight.
Before you throw in the towel on the holiday season and dive face-first into a tin of holiday cookies and vat of eggnog, here are a few simple tips for keeping your spirits high and pants comfortably buttoned:
Schedule your time
Carving out time for yourself is essential to not losing your mind amidst family visiting, holiday parties and other plentiful obligations. Set aside 30-45 minutes a few times throughout the week where you can get in a quick workout or some cardio. By doing so, you’ll not only be able to spend some time on your own, but the exercise will also help to lower stress levels, release endorphins and keep your body feeling mobile and strong.
Eat before the party
Eating before a holiday party may seem a bit contradictory, but it can be a really great move. The last thing you want to do is arrive starving to the party and eat anything and everything in sight. The better thing to do is to have a balanced meal beforehand and choose a few items to munch and maybe a small item to splurge on that won’t wreak havoc on your waistline.
Give it away
Did you make too many holidays cookies for your family? Did you receive too many sweets as gifts? For some, it may not be a temptation for these items to be lying around the home. For others, these sweets can act as triggers and lead to overconsumption. If you are of the latter, the best thing to do is to get it out of the house. Give it away or even throw it away. While it may feel wasteful to throw out perfectly good cookies, it’s better than eating the whole box in two days.
Most importantly, don’t forget to enjoy yourself this holiday season. If you’ve been waiting for that delicious eggnog all year, go on and enjoy a glass or two—just try not to go overboard.
Jason DeHenzel has trained some of New York’s most prestigious clients, including high-profile lawyers, advertising executives, movie producers and musicians. Sophie DeHenzel is a Pn1-certified nutritionist and former downhill ski racer. The pair founded DeHenzel Training Systems, a 2015 Home-Based Business of the Year from the Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce. DeHenzel Training Systems develops customized fitness plans for clients of different abilities, experience and commitment. Find out more at dtsnova.com.
